Apple Going the Way of the Wiimote?

Apple remotes are noted for their simplicity. After all, they have less buttons than TV remote. Now, they are about to become even simpler.

Apple has filed a patent that shows a 3D motion remote that you would be able to control by pointing at items on the screen. It would communicate with Apple TVs via IR, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi.

Furthermore, this magical remote-like device could include non-traditional input methods.This would most likely entail a touchscreen, given Apple's fetish for aluminum and glass, which would dramatically improve the utility of the remote. For example, searching for a movie in the iTunes store with the remote would no longer require a 20-minute excercise in frustration.

As always, there is no guarantee this will ever come to fruition. We think touchscreen remotes are too low-tech for Apple. A more likely candidate would be a remote CONTROLLED BY YOUR BRAIN.